Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal raised alarms over a deepening funds crisis in the state government on Monday, attributing it largely to the massive allocations for the flagship Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme. Speaking amid reports of potential disruptions to his department's initiatives, Bhujbal warned that the Rs 40,000-45,000 crore earmarked for the women's cash transfer programme is diverting resources, hampering other welfare efforts and stalling infrastructure projects. His candid critique highlights internal frictions within the ruling Mahayuti alliance just months after the 2024 assembly elections, where such populist promises helped secure victory.

The Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, launched pre-polls by the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition to woo women voters, provides Rs 1,500 monthly via direct benefit transfer to eligible beneficiaries aged 21-60 from economically weaker sections. Pledged to rise to Rs 2,100, the initiative targets over 2.5 crore women, making it one of Maharashtra's costliest endeavours. Bhujbal, reacting to speculation about shelving his department's Anandacha Shidha programme, stated, “I feel that the expenditure on the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme is affecting implementation of this (Anandacha Shidha).” He underscored a broader ripple effect: “One thing is sure, that all departments are facing a funds crunch. Departments like PWD and others had a backlog of Rs 84,000 crore.” This comes as the state grapples with post-monsoon flood compensations, further stretching limited finances.

Bhujbal specifically flagged impacts on two key schemes under his purview. The Anandacha Shidha initiative, introduced in 2022, distributes subsidised food kits—comprising four essentials—for Rs 100 to saffron ration card holders, benefiting 1.6 crore families annually at Rs 500 crore per phase. Its 2024 edition hangs in balance due to funding shortfalls. Similarly, the Shiv Bhojan Thali programme, offering meals at Rs 10 (with the government subsidising Rs 35-50 per plate), serves two lakh people yearly but has received only Rs 70 crore against a Rs 140 crore requirement. “If we go on distributing money like this (in the Ladki Bahin scheme), then financial problems will arise,” Bhujbal cautioned, pointing to stalled contractor payments and incomplete cabinet-approved projects discussed in recent meetings.

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The outburst reflects mounting pressures on Maharashtra's Rs 3.3 lakh crore budget for 2025-26, where welfare outlays surged 25% post-elections to fulfil promises like free education for girls, pilgrimage aid under Teerth Darshan Yojana, and farmer power waivers. Critics within the alliance, including Bhujbal—a veteran OBC leader who rejoined NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) in 2023—view these as unsustainable amid a projected fiscal deficit of 3% of GSDP. No immediate responses emerged from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde or Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, but the comments could signal coalition negotiations ahead of the supplementary budget. As Maharashtra balances electoral gains with fiscal prudence, Bhujbal's plea underscores the challenge of sustaining 'guarantee' schemes without compromising essential services in India's second-richest state.

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